Developing junior bowls:
Bowls Australia policy and guidelines
This policy has been endorsed by all state/territory associations and the board of Bowls Australia

table of contents
Message from Bowls Australia and State/Territory Associations.............................................................3
Section 1 – Policy......................................................................................................................................4
What is a junior?............................................................................................................................................4
What is junior sport?......................................................................................................................................4
What is the purpose of a junior sport policy?...............................................................................................4
What are the benefits of a strong and healthy junior structure in bowls?..................................................5
Spirit of the game..........................................................................................................................................5
Inclusion.........................................................................................................................................................6
Codes of behaviour (players, officials, parents, etc.)....................................................................................7
Coaching standards.......................................................................................................................................7
Officiating principals......................................................................................................................................7
Maintaining a safe bowls environment.........................................................................................................8
Member protection and member protection policy......................................................................................9
Risk management..........................................................................................................................................9
Vicarious liability..........................................................................................................................................10
Coaching and child protection.....................................................................................................................10
Insurance......................................................................................................................................................11
Medical considerations................................................................................................................................11
Growth, development and maturation........................................................................................................11
Drugs and alcohol........................................................................................................................................11
Dealing with emergencies...........................................................................................................................12
Equipment, uniforms and facilities.............................................................................................................12
Slip, Slop, Slap, Slide and Slurp..................................................................................................................13
Image use – still and moving images..........................................................................................................13
Section 2 – Guidelines.............................................................................................................................14
How do we get juniors involved at club level?.............................................................................................14
Tips on creating an atmosphere of fun within a team................................................................................14
Current junior bowls pathway.....................................................................................................................15
Encourage long term involvement..............................................................................................................16
Pathways and game formats.......................................................................................................................17
Creating partnerships within your community...........................................................................................20
People make it happen................................................................................................................................20
References.............................................................................................................................................21
Further resources........................................................................................................................................21
Useful websites............................................................................................................................................22
Contacts..................................................................................................................................................23
Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................24
Glossary..................................................................................................................................................24
Appendices.............................................................................................................................................25
Appendix one: codes of behaviour...............................................................................................................25
Appendix two: Current medical history form..............................................................................................28
Appendix three: Risk management audit template....................................................................................30
Appendix four: Image use permission form...............................................................................................32

Introduction

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Message from Bowls Australia and
State/Territory Associations
Bowls Australia (BA), in conjunction with its state and territory
association (STA) members is proud to present its National Junior
Bowls policy – a policy fundamental to its future success. This policy
will enable BA to improve the environment for junior participants –
resulting in increased participation through a more collaborative and
sustainable approach to the delivery of junior bowls.
Bowls has been an integral part of the Australian way of life for well
over a century. As with all successful sports, the game of bowls
requires a continuous life line of junior participation to ensure strong
club environments and consistent success at international level.
While high performance participation is the ultimate goal for some
athletes, at junior level the journey should always begin with an
emphasis on fun. Studies suggest fun is the major motivating factor
for a junior participant’s early development and participation in any
activity or sport.
This document has been separated into two distinct sections: ‘Policy’
and ‘Guidelines’. The first section (Policy) outlines the policies and
principles designed to encourage an environment to foster growth and
development of junior participation in our sport. The second section
(Guidelines) provides a brief snapshot of the strategies and tools
available to ensure the policy can be put into a practical perspective.
Through the implementation of the policies, strategies, procedures
and recommendations outlined in this policy, we aim to have a future
that will see a robust, sustainable and increasingly popular sport;
not exclusively for young or old, but all participants who wish to be
involved in the wonderful game of bowls.
Neil Dalrymple
Chief Executive Officer

Disclaimer:
Bowls Australia Inc, its member state and territory associations, along with contributors to and publishers of Developing Junior Bowls advise that every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in the manual is accurate at the time of printing and none of them, either collectively or individually, accept any responsibility for any inaccuracy in this manual whether by inclusion
or omission. The information and case studies are of a general nature and are presented as a guide only. The information in this manual is not to be taken as a substitute for specific advice.
Clubs and other persons to whom the manual is provided need to make their own assessment as to whether or not the information contained in it is relevant to their needs and, where
appropriate, seek specific professional advice. Bowls Australia Inc, its member state and territory associations, along with contributors to and publishers of
Developing Junior Bowls accept no responsibility for actions undertaken by clubs in relation to the information presented in this manual.

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section 1 - Policy
What is a junior?
BA recognises a junior participant to be aged under 18 years. For the purpose of creating a consistent approach to
development, the following categories have been established using ‘age determinants’. It should also be remembered
that skill and ability plays a critical role in determining the relevance of category for individuals. Junior participants under
the age of five are encouraged to participate through informal activity where appropriate.

Junior participants can be broken down into three distinct
groups:

Junior – Primary:

Junior – Intermediate:

Junior – Youth:

Junior participants aged
between 5 – 9 years old.

Junior participants aged
between 10 – 13 years old.

Junior participants aged
between 14 – 18 years old.

What is junior sport?
Junior sport refers to the organisation and management of sport and pre-sport activities for young people aged five to 18
years. It is generally considered the most important time to nurture, educate and have fun with sport, providing the entry
to a lifelong involvement in sport.

What is the purpose of a junior sport policy?
The purpose of a junior sport policy is to provide guidelines and information for school, club and community deliverers
to create an environment where young players can sequentially develop their skills through activities, games, rules and
conditions commensurate with their stage of learning and level of ability.
The junior sport policy has been designed to support clubs, club officials, coaches, teachers, volunteers, parents,
community groups and administrators by outlining what is recommended as appropriate conduct for the game of bowls
at junior levels. The guidelines ensure participants are provided with a fun, safe, progressive, relevant and meaningful
bowls experience.

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

What are the benefits of a strong and healthy
junior structure in bowls?
Fostering an appropriate junior pathway to develop juniors’ skills and meet their competitive needs allows for a
successful long-term involvement in the sport of bowls. This in turn delivers strength to the sport and ensures its
viability for many years to come.
On a local level, clubs which cater well for men, women, boys and girls will attract more members; resulting in more
volunteers, more community contacts and assist in creating a greater community presence.

• More attractive to sponsors

• Reduced alcohol-related problems due to the family
environment created by catering for juniors

• New and diverse revenues streams

• Applications for funding and grants strengthened

• Increase in membership, volunteers and teams

• Residents more connected and satisfied with their
community

• ‘New’ club culture welcoming to families and juniors

• Improved relationships with community organisations
(local councils, police etc) due to the family friendly
nature and increase in contacts (parents of junior
bowlers)
• Improved public image

• Reduced violence, neighbourhood noise, injury and
damage to facilities
• Improved health and fitness of community members
• More viable and family focused sporting clubs

• Reduced risk of liability

Spirit of the game
Good sportsmanship
Australians are justifiably proud of the place sport has in their
psyche. Good sportsmanship is an intrinsic component of that pride
and in a basic sense, conforming to the rules of sport is part of the
Australian ethos of a ‘fair go’ for all. Good sportsmanship expresses
an aspiration or ethos that the activity will be enjoyed for its own
sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a
sense of fellowship with one’s competitors. In short, BA strives for
all participants to have an equitable chance to pursue victory while
acting toward others in an honest, straightforward, and a firm and
dignified manner even when others do not play fairly.
The game of bowls is steeped in tradition and etiquette, both of
which play an important role in preserving the traditions of the game.
Respect for tradition is necessary, and should also be extended to
include respect for team members, opponents, and officials.
Five facets of sportsmanship have been identified:
• Full commitment to participation;
• Respect and concern for rules and officials;
• Respect and concern for social conventions;
• Respect and concern for the opponent; and
• Avoiding poor attitudes toward participation.

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It is important to remember breaches of etiquette are often unintentional and any indiscretion is managed carefully,
particularly when dealing with younger participants. Coaches and volunteers act as role models and mentors of
appropriate etiquettes related to participating in bowls. Some of the common etiquettes junior participants should
abide by include:
• Appropriate footwear (flat soled shoes)

• Assist in handing the mat and jack to each other

• Avoid dumping bowls

• Avoid distracting players on neighbouring rinks

• Players should avoid resting feet on the bank/plinth

• Acknowledge displays of exceptional skill

• Appropriately attired

• Players should hand bowls to one another

• Punctuality to training and competitions

• Players should not interfere with the head until the
result of an end has been agreed upon

• Players should shake hands at the beginning and end
of the game
• Address peers by first name
• Avoid straying on to neighbouring rinks
• Players should avoid leaving the rink for long periods
of time
• Share task of kicking bowls after the completion of
an end

• Avoid distractions such as loud noises or
conversation, visible movement of players, objects or
shadows whilst a bowler is on the mat preparing for
delivery in competition
• Mats and jacks should be collected and returned to
the usual distribution point

Inclusion
The sport of bowls must ensure it continues to welcome a wide range of
non-traditional participants, including women, indigenous communities,
culturally and linguistically diverse people and people with a disability. BA’s
plan is to make bowls more available to these participants in the future.
Like any sport, a disability should not be a barrier to participation. This is
particularly important at a junior level as it serves as a platform for education
of future generations. Find out what they can do, rather than what they cannot
do. If necessary, modify the game, use modified equipment, alter the scoring,
but remember to smile and welcome all new participants with open arms.
Persons with a disability are not the only diverse groups you should strive to
attract – indeed Australia is a diverse and increasingly multicultural society.
As a result, it can no longer be assumed that bowls will have an automatic
place in the Australian culture. In fact, Australia has a population that speaks
over 200 languages and which 25 per cent of people were born overseas!
BA has set itself the challenge to engage all Australians by embracing the diversity
of the population and introducing and sharing itself to all Australians at every opportunity.

Codes of behaviour (Players, officials, parents, etc.)
The codes of behaviour identify a series of key principles on which young players, parents, coaches, teachers,
administrators, officials, the media and spectators should base their involvement with bowls. When adopted
the codes will ensure that junior participants develop good sporting behaviours and have an enjoyable experience
of bowls, which will assist to encourage them to remain involved for life. See appendix one for the junior codes of
behaviour.

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Coaching standards
Coaches play a vital role in developing athletes through sport. They provide athletes with the skills and knowledge
needed to develop, improve and succeed. More often than not, coaches have a major influence on participants and their
enjoyment of their chosen sport.
Coaches who are accredited through the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) are recognised by BA, their
STA and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). As expectations for safety and ethical behaviour within coaching
continue to increase, it has become increasingly important that all coaches are trained and accredited.
It is recommended that all coaches continue their education to ensure the most appropriate and up-to-date knowledge
and coaching techniques are being used. The BA coaching program consists of four levels and two modules from
Introductory through to High Performance.
All coaches of junior athletes should be
accredited under the NCAS.

COMPETITION
MODULE*

CLUB COACH
Introductory
coach

Ideally suited
to coaches
working with
schools,
social bowlers
and those
introducing a
new participant
to the game

Ideally suited
to coaches
regularly
working at
club level,
either coaching
a team or
individual
coaching

Advanced
Coach

A focus on
the different
tactics used
during
competition

Ideally suited
to group/zone/
district level
coaches, junior
state coaches,
state assistant
coaches,
development
squad coaches

SELECTION
MODULE*
A focus on
minimising
the level of
subjectivity
and increase
objectivity as
a basis for
selection

High
performance
Coach

Ideally suited
to those
coaching at
national and
senior state
levels

* Club Coaches need to complete
the Competition and Selection
Modules before beginning the
Advanced Coach accreditation

Anyone can attend the modules!
They are useful for selectors, skips and players
â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you do not have to be a coach to attend!

Officiating principles
level three

Officials play a critical role in ensuring bowls
is played under fair and reasonable conditions.
Umpires, measurers and markers provide
clarification of the laws and make decisions when
called upon to do so.
Officials who are accredited through the National
Officiating Accreditation Scheme (NOAS) are
recognised by BA, their STA and the Australian
Sports Commission (ASC). As expectations for
safety and ethical behavior within officiating
continue to increase, it has become increasingly
important that all officials are trained and
accredited. Officials are encouraged to continue
their education and ensure they have a good
comprehension of the laws of the sport.

level two

level one

Ideally suited
for those
umpiring at
club level. An
introduction
to the laws
and the art of
umpiring

Ideally suited
to umpires
officiating at
zone/group/
district level
wishing to
move up to
state level

For more information on the bowls coaching and officiating structures please visit the BA website at
www.bowlsaustralia.com.au

Ideally suited to
those who wish
to umpire at a
national and
international
levels

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Maintaining a safe bowls environment
A key objective of the developing junior bowls
policy is to provide a fun, safe and rewarding
bowls experience for junior participants.
Clubs which provide a safe environment for
members and visitors will create a more
positive community image of the club.
The level of influence parents have in selecting
the sport in which their child participates should
not be underestimated. For this reason, clubs
are encouraged to promote a healthy and family
friendly environment to attract both parents and
their junior participants.
The following recommendations are examples of
methods which may be employed by bowls clubs
and members in order to ensure the developing
junior bowls policy is effective:
• Provide safeguards that comply with legal
requirements dealing with the physical and
psychological welfare of junior participants
• Ensure duty of care to participants
• No smoking in the presence of junior participants
• No consumption of alcohol in the presence of junior
participants

• Ensure junior participants are appropriately
supervised at all times
• Ensure junior participants are treated fairly in all
aspects of their participation in bowls
• Ensure the club facilities are available at appropriate
times to allow junior participants to practice and
compete

• No indecent language in the presence of juniors

• Support separate junior competitions

• No gambling in the presence of junior participants

• Have adequate insurance cover

Bowls clubs and their employees (including volunteers) have a legal duty of care to protect the welfare of junior
participants and to make sure they are not exposed to unacceptable risks while participating in bowls. To assist in
meeting the “duty of care” and “standard of care” to junior participants, bowls clubs should have policies that:
• Identify and comply with the underlying legal issues relevant to the provision of bowls; and
• Identify safety concerns, such as personal abuse (including harassment and discrimination), environmental
conditions, medical conditions, facilities, equipment, infectious diseases, drugs and dealing with emergencies – and
minimise their potential impact.

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Member Protection and Member Protection Policy
BA is committed to providing a sport and work environment free of harassment and discrimination. BA has
implemented a Member Protection Policy (MPP) to ensure the core values, good reputation and positive behaviours and
attitudes of BA are maintained.
In accordance with the MPP, any type of behaviour which may bring the sport of bowls into disrepute is not acceptable.
The MPP is an essential part of BA’s proactive and preventative approach to tackling inappropriate behaviour and all
complaints will be taken seriously, and dealt with promptly, sensitively and with confidentiality.
The policy also ensures everyone involved in bowls is aware of their legal and ethical rights and responsibilities. The
policy reflects BA’s support and implementation of the sport industry principles and values outlined in The Essence of
Australian Sport – principles of fairness, respect, responsibility and safety (see www.ausport.gov.au for more details).
All bowls clubs should have a member protection policy to:
• Provide clear guidelines for the protection of the health, safety and wellbeing of all participants; and
• Ensure clear and adequate processes are in place to deal with any harassment complaints.
In many cases, bowls clubs can adopt the national member protection policy and tailor it to the needs of their club.
Additionally, the Australian Sports Commission now has a club level MPP template and information resource which can
be found at www.ausport.gov.au/supporting/ethics/member_protection/template.
Junior participants have a fundamental right to be safe from any form of abuse while involved in bowls. This is both
a legal requirement, and also a moral obligation. Child protection requires a commitment from all levels of bowls to
ensure the environment is safe for all junior participants. This includes an awareness of the requirements and risks,
a commitment to practices that minimise the risks, and the ability to appropriately respond to incidents of child abuse.
For further information or to download BA’s Member Protection Policy please visit www.bowlsaustralia.com.au.

Risk Management
Risk management is a process of systematically identifying risks and eliminating or reducing the likelihood and
consequence to the participants, sport and club should they occur. A common example is BA’s extreme weather policy
which aims to manage the risk of extreme weather conditions on players.
In order to manage all risks associated with the sport of bowls, the development and implementation of a risk
management plan that is compliant with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls (Crystal Mark Edition) is recommended.
A risk management plan should aim to:
• Reduce the frequency and severity of
injuries;
• Protect bowls clubs from potentially
damaging claims;
• Continue to promote bowls as a safe sport;
and
• Minimise insurance premiums

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The following steps can assist a club or association to identify risks and help provide a safe environment for all
participants:
Step one – Get support from committee and club members/players;
Step two – Seek advice from local or state government;
Step three – Appoint a risk management officer;
Step four – Identify potential risks (what could go wrong?);
Step five – Assess potential risks (what is the impact on the club?);
Step six – Treat potential risks (what will the club do?); and
Step seven – Monitor and review risks and procedures

Vicarious liability
When a person is employed by or working on behalf of a bowls club and they are negligent (i.e. breaches the duty of
care and standard of care expected of them), there may be repercussions for the bowls club.
Commonwealth, state and territory volunteers’ protection legislation has been developed to provide protection to
individual volunteers from personal liability for loss, injury or damage caused as a result of an act or omission on their
part while undertaking their volunteering duties on behalf of a community organisation (such as a bowls club). Under
this legislation, if liability is incurred the volunteer is protected and liability transfers to the organisation.
However, protection for volunteers is not unconditional and exemptions may apply. It is therefore vital that all bowls
clubs and providers maintain an appropriate level of education and accreditation. The volunteer protection legislation
differs in each jurisdiction and the summary above is of a general nature only. Therefore, organisations can be
vicariously liable for offences committed by anyone in the organisation including volunteers (paid or unpaid).
In an effort to reduce the risk of negligence by bowls clubs and their providers, club administrators should monitor and
review their staff/volunteer professional development, program structures and delivery regularly.

Coaching and child protection
The safety and well-being of bowls participants should be a consideration of all clubs, districts, zones and groups.
Clubs and associations should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and well-being of junior participants. It is
acknowledged that coaches are sometimes difficult to recruit and that checks may be unattractive to a well-meaning
volunteer. However the safety and well being of junior participants should be the
priority. For more information on accreditation and/or selecting coaches, please
contact your STA or BA.
In many states and territories, any person working with children will be required to
hold a ‘Working with Children Check’ – if the person fails to do so, both the person
and the club may face penalties. For more information, contact the Department
of Justice (or its equivalent) in your state or territory.
BA recommends that all coaches consult their relevant state/territory
legislation with regard to child protection. For more information visit:
www.ausport.gov.au/ethics/legischild.asp. Coaches and/or managers
who travel with athletes need to be aware of relevant legislation and if
travelling interstate – the legislation of the state/territory which they are
travelling to.

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Insurance
Bowls clubs and providers should ensure they have the appropriate level of insurance coverage including public liability,
errors and omissions liability (coaches, umpires and managers only) and personal accident insurance.

Medical considerations
Some junior participants may have medical conditions which
could possibly affect their participation (ranging from slight
to chronic). Bowls clubs and their providers should be
aware of the specific needs of each junior participant and
know how to prevent and deal with problems, particularly in
case of an emergency. Particular care needs to be taken in
the case of long-term conditions, for example asthma.
Parents/guardians should complete a pre-participation
questionnaire dealing with any special needs and implications
for participation. Bowls clubs and their providers should ensure
that relevant personnel within the organisation are aware of the
information in the pre-participation questionnaire and the information
is used appropriately, such as in an emergency. Failure to do so may result in greater liability for the bowls club and
provider. An example of a current medical history form can be found in appendix two.
An alternative to collecting the pre-participation information is to obtain a declaration from the parent/guardian that
the junior participant is medically and physically fit and able to participate in the bowls activities and that the parent/
guardian will immediately notify the bowls club or provider in writing of any change to their child’s medical condition,
fitness or ability to participate. This option is preferable as it places the onus on the parent/guardian to ensure their
child is medically and physically fit and able to participate. This said however, if the bowls club and/or provider has
actual knowledge of change to a child’s fitness and ability to participate then this may result in some liability arising if
the appropriate action is not taken.
Medical opinion should be sought when the fitness or performance of any junior participant is questionable, and when
recovery from illness or injury is in doubt.

Growth, development and maturation
Most volunteers and sports administrators will encounter issues related to growth, development and maturation at
some stage during their sporting experience. This is of particular importance when working with young children and
adolescents.
For all junior participants, there are implications on performance. Awareness of growth, development and maturation
issues allows you to individualise a junior participant’s involvement to ensure their experience in lawn bowls is both
fun and safe. For more information on growth, development and maturation, visit the Australian Sports Commission’s
website at www.ausport.gov.au.

Drugs and alcohol
Social drugs such as alcohol and tobacco are commonly available in the sport environment and social settings.
Their use affects general health and well-being and should be discouraged at any activity connected with bowls.
Junior participants should be encouraged to carry this philosophy through to their personal life.
With regard to performance enhancing drugs, BA has developed a comprehensive anti-doping policy, which is strictly
applied to all levels of the sport. This policy can be viewed on the BA website at www.bowlsaustralia.com.au

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Dealing with emergencies
Planning what to do when an emergency occurs is an essential part of risk management. Bowls clubs should be
aware of the policies and procedures designed to assist in an emergency situation. Key personnel should also be able
to deal with emergencies so that junior participants are well cared for. This information should be communicated to all
members of the bowls club and appropriate information should be visually displayed throughout the club.
It is recommended coaches/volunteers have current first aid qualifications.
They should seek medical opinion when:
• The health of a participant is questionable;
• Recovery from illness/injury is uncertain;
• A participant is injured during training/competition; and
• When medical advice cannot be obtained, the coach/teacher should not allow the junior participant
to participate.
An appropriately stocked first aid kit should be available at training and competition venues (see Sports Medicine Australia’s website www.sma.org.au for details). Emergencies should be formally reported, discussed, and changes made
to procedures if needed.

Equipment, uniforms and facilities
Bowls clubs and equipment should meet the standard requirements of safety and should be inspected regularly. The
playing equipment used in the provision of junior bowls needs to be suitable for the participant’s size and ability so that
the junior participant can experience fun and success; and is less likely to be injured.
Measures should be adopted to reduce the risk of facility or equipment-related injury during bowls activities. These
include:
• Maintaining facilities and equipment so that it remains in a safe condition;
• Appropriately supervising all junior participants during sessions;
• Modifying equipment and rules (where appropriate);
• Cancelling matches or training where inspection of playing surfaces and equipment reveals they are unsuitable
or unsafe for play; and
• Contact your STA for further information regarding safety requirements.

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Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Slip, slop, slap, slide and slurp
To further assist with creating a safe playing environment with regard to matters of heat, hydration and sun protection,
it is recommended that:
• Players and officials wear long-sleeved shirts (shaded areas should
be available at all clubs. If there are no trees, artificial shades such as
umbrellas or similar should be used);
• Sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30+ should be made
available to players and officials and reapplied as appropriate throughout
competition;
• Players and officials wear a broad brimmed hat;
• Players and officials consider wearing appropriate sports eyewear; and
• Players keep hydrated while participating in lawn bowls.
Due to the vast range of body composition, fitness, and states of acclimatisation
represented in junior participants and adolescents, no single recommendation
on the volume of fluid to be consumed is appropriate. More fluid appears to be
consumed by junior participants when the drinks offered are perceived as
palatable to them. Regular and effective drinking practices should become
habitual to young athletes before, during, and after activity.
Players should be encouraged to have their own drink bottles. This ensures each player has access to an adequate
level of replacement fluids and reduces the risk of contamination and virus transfer. Where cups and a large container
are supplied, cups should not be dipped into the container. Used cups should be washed or disposed of after use.
Appropriate clothing is recommended for all participants. Light coloured, loose fitting clothes of natural fibres or
composite fabrics with high absorption properties (high SPF rating) are the most appropriate clothing in mild and hot
conditions. This clothing should further complement the existing practices in Australia that protect the skin against
permanent damage from the sun. For further information please refer to the extreme weather policy at
www.bowlsaustralia.com.au.

Image use – still and moving images
Bowls administrators and club personnel should be familiar with
the potential risks linked to the improper/unauthorised use of still
or moving images of junior participants. Appropriate steps should
be taken to ensure the acquisition or display of images containing
junior participants are not misused or accessed by unauthorised
personnel.
Permission must be obtained from the junior participants’
parent/guardian prior to taking the image. Any information regarding
the display of images should not be published unless prior consent has
been granted by the parent/guardian. All personnel taking such images
should be approved by the organisation and registered under the appropriate procedure.
The Commonwealth Privacy Act and state/territory privacy legislation governs the collection and use of personal
information and provides strict guidelines about the disclosure of such information.

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section 2 - Guidelines
How do we get juniors involved at club level?
Getting junior participants actively involved in sport is an integral component of a healthy active lifestyle. Sport at a
junior level needs to be fun, positive and enjoyable and inclusive.
Bowls is an attractive option for junior participants with varying athletic and physical abilities. Bowls as a sport
provides an opportunity for junior participants to develop physically, socially and emotionally with a wide variety of skills
transferable to non-athletic environments, such as leadership, team work, concentration and strong ethics and values.
BA’s collective goal is to provide safe, enjoyable environments to encourage the long-term participation of junior
participants and their families.
Fun is the major motivating factor for junior participants to play sport. Although junior participants like to compete,
the emphasis on the competition is always related to the fun and excitement experienced in the competition, not
necessarily a win.

Tips on creating an atmosphere of fun within a team
• Get down to the junior participants level and
understand what they see as fun;
• Don’t take yourself too seriously, get involved, don’t
be afraid to fail;
• Maintain a fun attitude with lots of laughter and a
sense of humour;
• Create training sessions that provide maximum
activity, skill development and enjoyment;
• Treat all junior participants equally, while meeting
their individual needs;
• See the lighter side of mistakes, through
encouragement and praise;
• Create opportunities for all skill and ability levels;
• Be well planned, organised and resourced
(equipment);
• Avoid all ‘isolation’ type punishments (sit ups,
push ups etc);
• Improve the club environment for junior
participation
• Provide recommendations, resources and
programs that focus on providing a simple, fun,
accessible and affordable introduction to bowls
• Create and promote family bowls initiatives that
encourage participation by the whole family in
various forms
• Create, promote and provide non-traditional forms of
bowls participation

• Develop projects, resources and programs that assist
deliverers in introducing the game through primary
and secondary schools in a fun manner
• Assist with the provision of junior sized bowls for new
participants
• Collect participation data to show trends in
participation aligned with the various programs and
initiatives delivered by clubs, schools, community and
STA’s
• Praise in public. However, never criticise in front of
their peers; and
• Inform juniors of the pathway for a junior participant
to ensure awareness of both the fun and competitive
outlet for the sport of bowls (see diagram)

Current Junior Bowls Pathway

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

AUSTRALIAN TEAM

National Squad Athletes

AUSTRALIAN SQUAD

State Team

U25
National
Team

State High Performance/
Institute Program

Grand
Prix
Series

U25 State Programs
U18
National
Team

U18 State Team

Zone/District/Group
Junior Development Squads

Club v Club

School v School
Local competitions

Casual

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Encourage long term involvement
There are several steps that can be taken to assist with the long term involvement of junior participants:
• Positive initial experience in a fun, social and junior friendly environment
• Appropriate participation and competitive opportunities
• Clear playing pathways together with awareness strategies which encourage
the appeal to become a coach, administrator, official and volunteer
• Junior participants may pursue the alternative pathways, and therefore the
following strategies have been divided to cater for two pathway examples.

Although bowls is a sport that can be played by persons of any age, it is more
likely a participant will remain in the sport if they are participating alongside
those of a similar age, skill level or interest in the game and its social attributes.
Programs can be tailored to suit the individual needs of the junior participant by
personnel at all levels (club, association, group, zone, state or national)
• Develop and promote programs which introduce junior participants to the sport
in a fun and social environment
• Develop, implement and promote regular non-traditional participation and school or inter-club junior competitions
within districts, zones and groups
• Produce and disseminate a resource for bowls clubs that provide guidelines and specific recommendations on the
delivery of junior bowls
• Develop, implement and promote regular inter-zone junior competitions within STA’s
• Provide clear junior participant pathways into opportunities as coaches, teachers, club administrators, community
leaders, volunteers, officials and mentors
• Develop, implement and promote school and community competitions within STA’s leading to national championships
• Provide opportunities for junior participants to participate on a regular basis in a social and fun environment
• Develop, implement and promote junior development squads at regional and STA level
• Develop, implement and promote the national under-18 component of the Australian Open
• Promote bowls as a sport for life:
- Physically and socially healthy activity
- Teaches participants great values and life skills
- Can be played by all ages

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Pathways and game formats
It is essential when promoting bowls to junior participants that the focus is on fun and the social aspects of the sport,
rather than competition and the traditional image. Junior participants respond best to a simple and fun introduction to
the game within a junior friendly environment at either a school or bowls club. For further information on fun games
and activities for junior athletes, see the BA publication “Bowls Australia Activities Handbook”.

Playing Conditions:

Primary (5 – 9 years old)

Attitude

Fun, safe, inclusive, focus on positives

Time limit

30 – 45 minutes per session

Learning objectives

Basic understanding of game (line &
weight) through target games
Basic understanding of good
sportsmanship

Sets Play (Two Sets of nine ends and
three end tie-breaker)
Singles, pairs and triples
Boys v. boys and girls v. girls
or mixed (on the same green)

Equipment

Bowls (appropriate size)
Jacks and mats
Chalk
Measuring tapes

Coaching ratio

One coach per club team

Risk management

See pages 8-13 for details

Acceptable clothing

As per BA and STA dress regulations

Recommended
coaching
qualification

Club Coach/Advanced Coach/
Teacher

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Creating partnerships within your community
There are a large number of potential junior program deliverers at national, state and local level including STA’s, bowls
clubs, schools, and government (local, state and federal). It is important that clubs form close ties with these partner
organisations in order to achieve an effective and unified approach to the delivery of bowls to juniors.
The benefits of partners, associations and clubs working cooperatively include the consistent provision of programs and
resources for junior participants; i.e. the efficient use of available resources. Some additional benefits are listed below:
• The production of consistent policies, programs and
resources to enable bowls to reach the maximum
number of junior participants;
• Opportunities for stakeholders and the junior bowls
community to contribute to national and state/
territory strategies;
• Improved junior committee structures at national,
STA, district/zone and club level by providing
resources to assist with delivering junior programs;
• Improved links with the education sector and schools
by incorporating bowls into the school curriculum

and provide resources and programs that foster links
between clubs and schools;
• Improved links with specialist organisations linking
with disability, disadvantaged, low socio-economic,
multicultural and indigenous groups;
• Engage with the ASC’s Active After Schools
Community providers to encourage the delivery of
bowls to a wider audience; and
• Improved links with tertiary education providers to
introduce teachers to bowls with Introductory Coach
accreditation.

People make it happen
Participants involved in junior bowls come
into contact with (and are influenced by) a
diverse range of people including other junior
participants, parents, carers, extended family,
teachers, coaches, officials, administrators,
volunteers and club members. All are
fundamental to the success of junior bowls.
Partners such as these provide the necessary
infrastructure and resource for the delivery
of junior bowls. The importance of their
contribution is to be commended and recognised
due to their ability to influence the quality of the
bowls experience for junior participants.
• Training and professional development opportunities to coaches, teachers, officials, administrators and
volunteers that encourage the provision of a fun and friendly environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all
participants.
• Easily accessible information, recommendations, human resources, physical resources and programs that
encourage the provision of a fun and friendly environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all participants
• Recommendations and guidelines to clubs regarding the provision of a junior friendly environment
• Codes of behaviour for the diverse range of people involved in the provision of junior bowls

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

references
Further resources
• Child Protection – A Resource for the Sport and Recreation Industry
(Policies and Procedures), Western Australia Government – Ministry of
Sport and Recreation, 2000.
• Child Protection – A Simple Guide for Sport and Recreation Organisations
Parents, New South Wales Sport and Recreation, 2003.
• Child Protection in Sport and Recreation – Guidelines for Achieving Child
Protection for Peak Bodies and Associations, New South Wales Sport and
Recreation, 2003.
• Child Protection in Sport and Recreation – Guidelines for Achieving Child
Protection for Sport and Recreation Clubs, New South Wales Sport and
Recreation, 2004.
• Child Protection in Sport and Recreation – Guidelines for Parents,
Guardians and Junior participants, New South Wales Sport and
Recreation, 2004.
• Harassment-free Sport – Guidelines for Athletes, Australian Sports
Commission, 1998.
• Harassment-free Sport – Guidelines for Coaches, Australian Sports
Commission, 1998.

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Useful Websites
Bowls Australia
www.bowlsaustralia.com.au
Active After School Communities
www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools
_and_juniors/aasc
Australasian Legal Information Institute
www.austlii.edu.au
Australian Sports Commission
www.ausport.gov.au
Australian Sports Commission Junior Sport
www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools
_and_juniors/juniors
Australian Council for Educational Leaders
www.acel.org.au
Australian Council for Educational Research
www.acer.edu.au
Australian Council for Health, Physical
Education and Recreation Inc. (ACHPER)
www.achper.org.au

Disability Sport Unit â&#x20AC;&#x201C;
Australian Sports Commission
www.ausport.gov.au/dsu/index.asp
Good Sports
www.goodsports.com.au
National Association for Prevention of
Child Abuse and Neglect
www.napcan.org.au
National Institute of Family Studies â&#x20AC;&#x201C;
National Child Protection Clearing House
www.aifs.gov.au/nch/
New South Wales Commission for Junior
participants and Junior participants
www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check
New South Wales Dept of Sport & Recreation
Child Protection & Employment Screening
www.dsr.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory Department of Community
Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs
www.nt.gov.au/

Child Wise and ECPAT
www.childwise.net

Office for Recreation and Sport
South Australia
www.recsport.sa.gov.au

Commissioner for Junior participants Tasmania
www.childcomm.tas.gov.au
Department for Families and Communities
South Australia
www.familiesandcommunities.sa.gov.au
Department of Justice
(VIC Working With Children Check)
www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren
Department of Sport and Recreation
Western Australia
www.dsr.wa.gov.au

Melinda Turner - Sports Consultant (Junior Sport Unit), Australian Sports Commission
Patrizia Torelli – Managing Director, Spheres of Influence International
Bowls Australia would also like to publicly thank all STA’s for their input and feedback during the preparation of the
Developing Junior Bowls Policy.

Appendix one: codes of behaviour
Players
• Play by the rules
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree have your skip or coach approach the official at the conclusion of the end
or after the competition
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials, sledging other participants or deliberately distracting or provoking an
opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good shots whether they are made by your team or the opposition
• Treat all participants as you would like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor
• Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please your parents and coaches
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or
religion
Parents
• Remember that junior participants participate for their enjoyment, not yours
• Encourage junior participants to participate, do not force them to
• Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than whether they win or lose
• Encourage junior participants to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility
or violence
• Never ridicule or yell at a junior participant for making a mistake or losing a game
• Remember that junior participants learn best by example. Appreciate good performance and skilful plays by all
participants
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities
• Respect officials’ decisions and teach junior participants to do likewise
• Show appreciation for coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every junior participant regardless of their gender, ability, cultural
background or religion
Coaches
• Remember that junior participants participate for pleasure, and winning is only part of the fun
• Never ridicule or yell at a junior participants for making a mistake
• Be reasonable in your demands on junior participants’ time, energy and enthusiasm
• Operate within the rules and spirit of bowls and teach your players to do the same
• Ensure that the time junior participants spend with you is a positive experience. All junior participants are deserving
of equal attention and opportunities
• Avoid overplaying the talented players in key positions: the ‘just average’ need and deserve equal time
• Provide experiences appropriate to the ability of the junior participant
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all junior
participants

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• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the bowls. This includes opponents, coaches,
officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage junior participants to do the same
• Show concern and caution towards sick and injured participants. Follow the advice of a physician when determining
whether an injured participant is ready to recommence training or competition
• Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth
and development of junior participants. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every junior participant regardless of
their gender, ability, cultural background or religion
Teachers
• Encourage junior participants to develop basic skills, discourage overspecialisation in one format or playing position
• Create opportunities to teach appropriate bowls behaviour as well as basic skills
• Give priority to free play activities, skill learning and modified games over highly structured competition for junior
(primary) participants
• Prepare junior participants for intra and interschool competition by teaching the basic bowls skills
• Make junior participants aware of the positive benefits of participation in sporting activities
• Keep up to date with coaching practices and the principles of physical growth and development. Read and use the
latest coaching and teaching resources for junior bowls
• Help junior participants understand the differences between the junior competition they participate in and
professional sport
• Help junior participants understand that playing by the rules is their responsibility
• Give all junior participants equal opportunities to participate in administration, coaching and umpiring as well as
playing
• Support the implementation of the developing junior bowls policy
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every junior participant regardless of their gender, ability, cultural
background or religion
Administrators
• Set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
• Involve junior participants in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision-making related to the activity
• Give all junior participants equal opportunities to participate
• Create pathways for junior participants to participate in sport, not just as a player but as a coach, umpire and
administrators
• Ensure rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age, ability and maturity
level of junior participants
• Provide quality supervision and instruction for junior participants
• Remember junior participants participate for their enjoyment and benefit. Do not over emphasise awards
• Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and help improve the standards of
coaching and officiating
• Ensure that everyone involved in junior bowls emphasises fair play, rather than winning at all costs
• Support implementation of the developing junior bowls policy
• Make it clear abusing junior participants in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or
religion

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

Officials
• Be flexible when enforcing rules and regulations to match the skill level, needs and understanding of junior
participants
• Compliment and encourage all junior participants
• Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions
• Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents
• Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than the errors
• Be a good sport yourself. Actions speak louder than words
• Keep up to date with the latest trends in officiating and the principles of growth and development of junior
participants
• Set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive
• Place the safety and welfare of the junior participants above all else
• Give all junior participants a ‘fair go’ regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion
Media
• Provide coverage of junior competitive and non-competitive bowls as well as reporting adult sport
• Be aware of the differences among adult sport, professional sport and modified programs for junior participants
• Do not highlight isolated incidents of inappropriate sporting behaviour
• Focus on a young player’s fair play and honest effort
• Do not place unfair expectations on junior participants. They are not miniature professionals
• Describe and report on the problems of junior participants participating in organised bowls
• Focus on the abilities and not the disabilities of junior participants
• Avoid reinforcing stereotypical views on the involvement of boys and girls in bowls
• Give equal time and sport to reporting boys and girls
• Familiarise yourself with the developing junior bowls policy
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every junior participant regardless of their gender, ability, cultural
background or religion
Spectators
• Junior participants participate in bowls for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours
• Applaud good performances and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all junior participants on their
performance, regardless of the game’s outcome
• Respect the decision of officials and teach junior participants to do the same
• Never ridicule or scold a participant for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether by spectators, coaches, officials or players
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them, there would be no game
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions
• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every junior participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural
background or religion

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Appendix two: Current medical history form
personal details
Surname:

Given names:

Address:
Suburb/Town/City:

State:

Phone:
Sex: M / F
Blood group:

Postcode:

Mobile:
Date of birth:

/

/

Age:

Height:

Weight:

Do you object to tranfusions? YES / NO

emergency contact
Surname:

Given names:

Phone:

Mobile:

Relationship:

Health care details
Medicare No.:

Private health
insurance? YES / NO

Private doctor:

Fund:

Phone:

Address:
Suburb/Town/City:

State:

Postcode:

Can doctor be contacted at all times? YES / NO
Private dentist:

Phone:

Address:
Suburb/Town/City:
Can dentist be contacted in emergency? YES / NO

State:

Postcode:

Bowls Australia
Developing junior bowls

CURRENT HISTORY
Current medical problems:

Regular medications including supplements, stating name and dosage:

Allergies:

Sports injuries (Please list any injury which is current/recurring or requires surgury)

(if applicable), hereby give our full and complete permission, without reservation or restriction to
Bowls Australia, and its representatives, agents and assigns to photograph me during the Bowls
Australia photo shoot to use, reproduce and publish in any communication medium whatsoever, as
determined by Bowls Australia and its representatives, agents and assigns from time to time, for
educational, promotional, commercial or marketing purposes.
I, and my parent/guardian, agree and acknowledge that this permission is unconditional and applies
in perpetuity.
I, and my parent/guardian, accept that no fee or remuneration will be provided for my appearance in
any such communication mediums.
I, and my parent/guardian, hereby waive, release and forever discharge Bowls Australia and its
officers, employees, agents and assigns from all claims, actions and liability relating to its use of
said photographs.
Participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Name:
Signed:
Date:
Contact Number:
Email Address:
Participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parent or guardian who if first legal point of contact must sign:
Name:
Relationship to participant:
Signed:
Date:
Contact Number: